Here is the address to send mail to Tom Sawyer: (please try to address all mail and packages exactly as I have typed here. It just makes the transit through the mail system so much easier.)
(ADDRESS DELETED FOR SECURITY REASONS-shoot me an email if you need it.)
Some are already wanting to know what TS needs or wants in the way of care packages. I heard from him today; main request at the moment: tobacco products
TS is an unapologetic regular...make that heavy...smoker. When he deploys he also dips tobacco. He cannot purchase tobacco over there right now. This is what he said via IM today:
...tell everyone I am going to need tobacco in a hard way and soon...can't buy tobacco here due to shut down**...and afghan tobacco has drugs and crazy crap that will blow up your face...I will take the cheap dip like Grizzly straight and mint...tell everyone {we} really need coffee and tobacco...
(**this means that they no longer have even a rudimentary convenience store run by friendly entities available to them)
Now, I am well aware that some people would not dream of sending tobacco out of moral or religious objection to its use, or because it is just such an expensive thing to ask for, or out of genuine concern for TS's health.
To the moral/religious objectors, I can only tell you that TS loves and is committed to his relationship with his Savior, and whatever vices he struggles with are between him and the Good Lord. He knows that "all things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial." He greatly appreciates your prayers, some of which, no doubt, will now include supplication for the salvation of his soul, which, according to some, may be in jeopardy due to the use of such a substance. Maybe you would be more comfortable meeting his request for coffee, which would be greatly appreciated. And please do pray! He appreciates your prayers too and has told me numerous times in the past that he can feel them. :0)
As to the issue of the cost of tobacco...tell me about it! I do the shopping for our family and I know how expensive it is. I will be sending him cigarettes and dip regularly anyway. The thing is, since the men can't safely purchase the stuff themselves in the local economy, and since they can't purchase it from any coalition convenience store, obviously the stuff is scarce. They all share everything they have with each other over there, but given TS's leadership position, there is somewhat of an issue with him asking to "bum" from others. At the same time, he will readily share with his peers and subordinates if he knows that they are lacking. He won't wait for them to ask. That's just how he is. Having said all that...if you are going to spend money for a care package, might I point out the logic in spending it on something that is wanted and used by many.
Finally, from a standpoint of health, again...tell me about it. I'm a nurse, for crying out loud. However, I have seen what withdrawal from both tobacco and caffeine can do to the man, and let me tell you...the distraction that withdrawal brings could very well be much more hazardous in the short term to his personal health and safety.
Ok...so I hope by now, you can tell that I have an incredibly dry sense of humor and that I pretty much tell it like it is. Don't mistake me for a jerk. I am saying a lot of this tongue-in-cheek. I can also be an insufferable sap who cries over Kleenex commercials. The hard exterior protects the soft core, I promise. I just love my soldier and I want to do for him what he can't do for himself right now, which is readily communicate with the rest of the world back here at home. Let me assure you, he loves you all, misses you all, and is counting the days until he doesn't have to rely on me to talk for him. He is so much sweeter than me, which is very much a paradox to the battle-hardened NCO that his is! I am so blessed! I do love that man of mine!
No comments:
Post a Comment